The Civil War - 25/08 & 01/09 - Rae

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Jaezred has already been sitting in the Serious Business Room, index finger tapping an eager rhythm on the oak table, when the door swings open to let Rae, Keros, and Cassianne in. He doesn’t bother trying to conceal the huge grin that spreads across his face.

“Welcome back!” he exclaims warmly.

Rae returns the beam, striding in with a bright look about them. “You look happy, boss. Has word spread this far already?”

Keros walks in behind Rae with a smile and a lazy half-salute to Jaezred, and quietly takes a seat.

“Don’t start calling him that, Rae. He’d have to polymorph into something with a much bigger head!” Cassianne chirps as she strolls inside after the couple. “Zola won’t be joining us, ‘boss’ — she mentioned she had something else to attend to.”

“Word has spread of Lucius the Luscious’ heroics in slaying the formidable Antonia Warborn — flying across the battlefield on the back of a winged stag, carrying her severed head…” he replies with a knowing smirk. “What’s up with that, anyway?”

“Glad to hear that’s the version that reached you,” says Keros with just a tiny hint of smugness.

A hint of the exhaustion Rae has been feeling creeps across their face and they let out a sigh, but they keep a smile. “Our good friend Admiral Ironhide requested it in exchange for the Navy’s help in the battle. She is… full of odd requests. One we need to watch in the near future. But, doing so ensured the victory for the forces defending Zot Goran.”

“Better odd requests from Ironhide than Tenways,” Keros mutters.

“What’s Tenways’ deal? Is she always like that?” Cassianne wonders aloud. The minotaur only shoots a smirk at Rae.

“Ironhide requested that you set up Lucius Steadyhands? Hmm…” A small burst of black flames erupts in the air near Jaezred and a weathered, leather-bound tome appears, held aloft by wisps of whispering shadows. He flips through its pages. “Legate Lucius Steadyhands, Second Legion… Son of Senator Steadyhands. Ah, of course. She’s very keen on that funding, I suppose.”

“You know that looks super creepy, right? I mean, I love it. But creepy,” says Cassianne.

“Oh don’t worry, this is only surface-level intelligence.” He waves a hand and the book shuts as it disappears, consumed by black fire.

“I was talking about the black flames and whispering shadows,” Cassianne murmurs..

“Anyhow,” Jaezred continues. “I wager it wasn’t this good ol’ boy who finished off Antonia?”

“Not at all, you can thank Zola for that one,” Rae says. “And seriously do. I get the feeling that this battle would’ve been a complete disaster without someone of her capabilities there. Antonia ran from us every time we encountered her before, but had we fought then… It’s no exaggeration to say we certainly would’ve died.”

“She was positively divine. Don’t sell yourself short, though, Rae. I’ve never seen someone move as fast as you! Or be so gracefully violent.” Cassianne adds.

“Zola is… a thing to behold on the battlefield. Where did you find that one?” Keros says.

“Miss Oussviir was born in the Kantasian Underdark, hundreds of miles beneath our feet, but she was adopted as an infant by hags from the Feywild. She started adventuring in the Dawnlands a little over a year ago. Dual wielding is an incredibly difficult art to master, and she’s the best swordswoman I’ve ever seen in 250 years of my life… However, I think even one such as she couldn’t have done it without you.”

Keros turns to Cassianne. “No, that is creepy.” He looks back at Jaezred. “Oh, and I’ve already said it, but thanks again.”

Jaezred nods. “I’m glad she was of good help. And I’m glad the Behooved threat is over…”

Rae shifts a dark steel ring around on their finger idly as they think and talk aloud. “It doesn’t feel real. Certainly our work in K’ul Goran is not finished, but to have such a big part we’ve been working towards finished… It’s so strange.”

Cassianne’s gaze flicks from the ring on Rae’s hand to where Jaezred is seated, and her voice glides into his mind like light over glass.

not to add to your undoubtedly lengthy to-do list, ‘boss’, but we’re mighty suspicious about that pretty bauble rae is a-twirlin’ around that there digit of theirs. they didn’t seem quite themselves at times during the battle with antonia. i mean, we were all worked up something fierce, but rae… well, rae was fitting to execute some unarmed prisoners right before zola and keros stepped in. now, personally, i can see the need to overstep sometimes, but something sure seemed off about it. and apparently that ring has quite the nefarious history…

Jaezred’s crimson eyes briefly trail down to the ring. The expression on his face does not budge, betraying nothing of his thoughts. “Yes, I can hardly believe we’ve been at this for the better part of a year now. There are lingering issues still, not least the riot that broke out within Zot Goran because of Senator Warborn’s civilian militia…” A frown weighs down on his brow.

Keros rolls his eyes. “What did I tell you when we first met? We’ve always known he can’t be trusted.”

“No, of course not, though unfortunately there is little anyone can do to check his power now. This militia is just the beginning of his new order.”

“One perfectly prepared to commit atrocities against their own people, but at least they’re friendly to the Dawnlands.”

“For now. At least until Marius changes his mind about us, because these sorts of organisations are not as loyal to the state as they are to its head.”

“So what you’re saying is that we have achieved nothing. I’m so glad we came here.”

“Keros, hunny, is everything okay?” Cassianne says. “I don’t think Lord Jazzy is saying it was for nought. Just to be mindful of other dangers.”

“No, everything is not okay. I just want there to be a right choice and there isn’t one! We defeat Antonia and Marius takes her place as the danger. The only difference is that now the Council of Daring Heights won’t back our plays. What have we won? A pause before it starts all over again?”

Rae moves in to comfort him. “Keros, you should—”

“Good gods.” Jaezred pinches the bridge of his nose, then points a finger at Keros. “Stop. Just shut up for a second. And listen.”

The drow lord stands and folds his hands behind his straightened back. With his tall and broad-shouldered frame, he cuts a regal figure at the head of the table as he stares at Keros. “I have told you from the beginning that there is no single magical solution that will fix all of K’ul Goran’s problems. There is no such thing as ‘the right choice’ — there are only choices that are worse or better than the other. And yes, that is fucking horrible, and you’re not the only one who feels shit about it. But that’s how it is. That’s how it’s always been, even if you were blind to it before. So suck it up, and march on. Because that is all you — and the rest of us — can do.”

His gaze moves to the other two adventurers in the room in turn. “I have lived for two-and-a-half centuries now. I have seen dynasties rise and fall. The course of history changes again and again and again. Do you have any idea how difficult it is for an individual — much less an individual not in a position of power — to make even the slightest dent in that? What you have done in K’ul Goran is a feat. You have changed history. It will change again, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have no say in where it goes next. You’ve done it before, you can do it again. But for now — celebrate, gods damn it. You deserve it.”

“Amen to that.” Cassianne says quietly.

“I…” Keros starts to build up to respond angrily, but then takes a deep breath and backs down. “I want to do that. It’s just… hard.”

Rae looks up at Jaezred with nothing short of awe. They think of everything they have been through, and how this final step of the journey went, and they feel fully affirmed. They nod, then look at Keros with bright eyes. “You deserve to, Keros. You really do.”

“I’m sorry, everyone. I know I get too close to this. It just feels like everything I reach for becomes… corrupted.” Keros sighs deeply. “We have to take wins where we can get them. I’ll stop bringing down the tone. A drink, maybe? Please tell me they serve something other than tea here.”

“Une bonne idée! My round. Shots?” Cassianne gets up from her seat and heads out of the room.

Jaezred procures a flask from inside his coat and slides it across the table to Keros as he sits back down. “Stop being so hard on yourself. You know that isn’t true. You have done real good in this world. Few can ever say that.”

“We’ve definitely removed some evil from it. I’ll celebrate that much, at least.”

“Yes. Marius may be a slimy piece of turd, but that doesn’t mean getting rid of Antonia was in any way bad.”

“Oh, and that slimy little turd gave me the offer of citizenship in K’ul Goran before we set off to fight Antonia. For what that is worth,” Rae chimes in with a smile.

“Oh? And did you accept or refuse?” Jaezred asks, perking up.

“I’ll be honest, my mind was so focused on the task at hand I didn’t give him an answer, barely had time to think about it until now.”

“If we can’t improve K’ul Goran, we can say we improved its citizenry today, at least.” Keros smiles. “Assuming you even want to go back at this point.”

A small smile returns to Jaezred’s lips. “Well, it’s one thing the turd did right. If anyone deserves it, it’s you.”

“Thanks, Dad— Jaez. Jaezred… Thanks, Jaezred.”

Rae’s face goes a darker shade of pink. They school their expression into forced neutrality, trying to pretend that nothing has happened. The attempt proves futile as Jaezred’s jaw falls slack and Keros, who was taking a sip from the flask, sprays duergar whiskey everywhere with a powerful snort of laughter.

“I think I’ll consider it it’s a great honour and ofcourseI’mgoingbacktoK’ulGoranIloveittherewhereareourdrinks?” the earth genasi babbles, their voice progressively getting higher pitched and faster.

“Barbecue!” Jaezred suddenly exclaims as he shoots up to his feet. His voice is uncontrollably loud, seemingly unable to hide his flusteredness. “I promised you barbecue. When are you free!”

“You did! And to meet your partner! That sounds lovely! I’ll be free for a while now I think!” Rae’s voice matches the volume as if trying to make it more natural.

Cassianne watches on with a massive, lizardy grin, setting down the round of tequila somehow procured despite being in a teahouse. Keros leans back in his chair, his mood now uplifted, and casually adds, “My dad loves barbecues too, to be fair. Always happiest tending to a grill.”

The three of them are treated to a sight they immediately know to be extraordinarily rare: Lord Jaezred’s face turning beet-red.

“Okay! Three days from now, at sundown, in New Hillborrow! Don’t be late!”

“That sounds heavenly. I’ll bring my planar-renowned jambalaya.”

Jaezred buttons up his coat in a nervous gesture and marches swiftly out the room. Keros calls after him, “We won’t be late! I’d hate to miss you giving me ‘the talk’!”

“I’M NOT READY FOR THIS!” they hear Jaezred shout as he almost sprints down the corridor.

Keros grabs Rae and gives them a huge hug whilst chuckling to himself. Rae buries themself in the hug to avoid being seen, and doesn’t say a word about it for the rest of the night.

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Late at night, when Keros is soundly asleep and Rae lies awake beside him, staring up at the ceiling, a little spider crawls in through the open window. A female black widow, bearing a tiny scroll of parchment tied with a thin thread around her abdomen. Rae gets up, delicately pulls the scroll from the spider, and unrolls it.

I heard about the ring situation. If you wish to speak to me about it, meet me in the tavern downstairs. If not, go back to sleep.

Like a child caught for being awake too late, Rae bashfully makes their way downstairs to the tavern.

The tavern is empty, save for Dhauzith wiping glasses behind the bar and Jaezred seated alone at the table, dressed down and sipping a glass of moonshine, with Dhauzith’s dog curled up at his feet.

Rae, dressed in their nighttime slacks and soft shirt, shuffles into the seat opposite Jaezred.

“Please say what you’d like to say.”

“I was hoping you’d do a bit more talking first. This ring… What is it?”

“The ring is… a powerful magical item. It grants me near-invisibility in my skin without me having to cast a spell, helped me get the jump on Antonia. It also… focuses me. Keeps me trained on what I want to do and doesn’t let anything else in. It’s also… a little bit cursed, but it’s fine! My friend Calla removed it last time and I’ve written her an insurance note in case, telling her I will give her gold if I need it removed if things go badly again, but I think it will be okay.”

Rae is rambling at a fast pace, knowing that outright hiding from or lying to the drow spymaster is futile. So instead, they try to sugarcoat the truth.

“‘A little cursed’, eh?” Jaezred says. “And it made you… say that the unarmed rebel prisoners should be executed?”

Rae sinks a little further into their chair. “It was a very stressful situation, Jaezred. I had just disguised myself as Lucius in order to parade the severed head of Antonia to the armies to ensure that his name was praised for securing the victory. When I left, there were only a handful of rebels left and when I returned, they were being captured. And the only thought in my head was… they have seen me transform. They know Lucius is not a hero. They could shatter what we have going with the Navy and expose us as liars.”

They take a deep breath and run a hand over their face. “It is as you said, no right choices. Just worse or better. I thought that… dealing with them would mean the work we had done would be more secure. I find that to be the better choice.”

Unlike the other adventurers, there is not even a hint of judgement on Jaezred’s face as he listens to Rae.

“You’re not wrong. If I had been there with you, I would have offed those soldiers without a second thought.”

He sets his glass down and leans forward.

“And that is why you shouldn’t go down this path.”

Rae looks hopeful for a moment, then furrows their brow in frustration. “I don’t enjoy being patronised, Jaezred. I know that we have to make hard choices to achieve what we want to achieve. You can’t protect me from that, we’re meant to be working together.”

“You don’t get it, Rae. It’s a hard choice for you, it’s not for me. Because I’ve made choices like it time and time again that it’s become my nature. I see the worst in all, I cannot trust anything, and everything is a potential tribute for my cause. When you live as a spider, everyone is either a threat or prey.” He takes a long, deep breath and sighs. “I’m not trying to protect you. I wouldn’t stop your hand if you do choose to execute someone. I’m asking you if this is the sort of person you wish to become.”

“The person I wish to become is someone who can make change. Someone who can help people by doing the things they cannot do. It’s the reason I study magic, because I’m clever. I am capable of doing it, so I want to. There is a lot more work in K’ul Goran that I can do because of my abilities and my position. And I want to keep doing them. I have killed before to help people who needed it, and I can do it again. That is me being truthful to myself, and this ring does not alter what I want to do.”

Rae stares Jaezred down with all the determination they can muster. He meets their determined gaze with silent solemnity, before his eyes trail down to the ring once more.

“That’s what I’d guessed,” he says in a quiet voice. “I see that you are set on your path. Very well. But you heard what he said this afternoon: ‘Everything I reach for becomes corrupted.’ He fears that means you too.”

Rae’s brow furrows even deeper, considering Jaezred’s words regarding Keros. Jaezred rises to his feet and walks towards Rae, placing a hand on their shoulder.

“Just don’t turn out like me.”

They look up at him, thinking for a moment before speaking.

“I don’t know what you did for the other two hundred and fifty years, but this year, your information and your connections were instrumental in helping save K’ul Goran. I’d like to turn out like that person.”

Jaezred sighs deeply and shakes his head. “Good night, Rae.”

He says nothing more as he walks past them out of the tavern. A black widow spider rappels down from a beam in the ceiling on a thin silken thread, landing on his shoulder and disappearing under his collar.

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